Typewriting machine



Dec. 8, 1925- ,3 9

w. A. DOBSON TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed May 15. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 8, 1925- W. A. DOBSON TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Mayv 15. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 five/7m: MUMW Dec. 8, 1925- W. A. DOBSON TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed May 15. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 8, 1925.-

umrs-o s'r Es PATENT" OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. DOBSON, OF, namenronr, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TWEWBITEB COMPANY, 01" NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

, 'TYPEWBITING MACHINE.

, Application filed Hay 15,1923. Serial No. 639,068.

Be it known t t I, WILLIAM A. DOBSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful-Improvements in Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to a type-action for typewriting machines, and particularly for machines of the portable class. Such typeactions mustbe compact, and the weight of the machine must be reduced to a minimum. This also preferable that the action be simle and composed of few parts, and the machine-work must be reduced to a minimum so that-the cost of manufacture may be reduced and so allow the machine" to be sold at a'comparativel low price. i

- One object of t is invention is to produce a condensed and yet highly eflicient typeaction, in which the, 'various parts are so placed with relation-tonne another that a small, compact and easily portable machine is-secured.

To all when it mat camera:

7. Another object of'this invention is to so mount the var1ous parts ofthe mechanism as to cause their longitudinal axes to fall on approximately parallel lines, which will eliminate the binding of'the arts when set in mot-ion and, by so doing, Wlll decrease the pressure necessar to 0 rate them.

,Another objec of t is invention is to eliminate all superfluous parts of the typeaction, to increase the efliciency and smooth action of those which are retained and to so simplifythe design of the latter as to appr'e ciably reduce the cost of their manufacture; This invention results in a type-action that is extremely simple and efiicient in operation, ractical and longlived, produces work {compares very favorably with the work-which can be turned out on a standard sized machine, is light and compact and therefore easilyportable, and can be manufactured at a reasonable cost and therefore sold at a comparatively low price.

The type-bars of this type-action are short and aregarra'nged in a type-bar segment that is preferablytaken from tively small diameter. The are on which a disk of compara-' the type-bar pivot-rod lies is therefore one of short radlus, which reduces the space required to accommodate the type-bars and therefore aids in reducing the size of the machine. a

The axes of the slots which accommodate the type-bars lie in planes which radiate from a common center approximately coincidental with the printing point, which brings them more nearly parallel to one another than would be the case if a lower center were used. The result is a group of-typebars, any two of which present practically parallel surfaces to one another. This arrangement allows ample space between the type-bars to accommodate the necessary actuating mechanism without danger of the various parts interfering with one another in action.

The type-bar segment is preferahl in c'lined rearwardly from the perpendicu ar at an angle of approximately 10, which allows the type-bars to be swung through a greater arc, and which makes it possible to place the platen in back of the type-bar segment and lower down in the machine than would be permissible if the segment were placed in the vertical position. This lowering of the platen is notonly very desirable as a means. of reducing'the height of the machine, but also for the reason that the printing line can be raised, so that, as in this Invention, it will appear above a horizontal plane taken through the longitudinal axis, and nearer to the top of the platen, where it is more visible than would be the case if it appeared lower down. I I

' When at rest, all of the type-bars lie in a conical lane that in this instance forms an angle 0 approximately with the surface of the backwardly-inclined type-bar segment, thus causing the type-bars to spread outwardly a trifle, as they recede from the segment, and yet leave them not too far from ahorizontal position. The lowermost .type-bars are thus brought close to the keywhich further reduces the height of levers Each type-bar has a projectthe machine.

ing ear that extends rearwardly and downwardly from the type-bar and affords a means for swinging the type bar on its pivot.

The fulcrums of the key-levers,while they might be arran ed in parallel ali ent with the key-leverst emselves, are in t is instance grou ed together closely on an centrally-dispose transverse fulcrumlate near the rear of the machine, and ra iate toward the front of the machine where they are spread out to the full width required for a standard keyboard. The use of a relatively short straight fulcrum-plate is preferred because it fulfills all practical requirements and affords substantial vacant spaces on each side of the bank of key-levers to accommodate the other necessary mechanism of the machine without adding appreciably to, its width.

The fulcrum-plate in this instance is provided with pins or projections along its top edge above the key-levers, and coiled springs are stretched between the individual keylevers and their corresponding pins ing-a manner to hold the key-levers in place upon thefulcrum-plate and also to cause the return of the key-levers to normal after the pressure of the ty ists fingers has been removed. The keyevers have fingers depending from their lower edges, which are bendable to the proper height to actuate a universal bar to which may be attached the ribbon-vibrating and carriage-release mechanisms.

The type-bar-actuating mechanism, which connects the key-levers to the type-bars, preferably takes the form of a series of links and bell-cranks.

The bell-cranks in this instance are mounted in a bridge that is preferably curved on an arc havin for its center thepoint to which the ra ial portions of the key-levers would substantiall converge if they were extended backwar ly beyond the fulcrumplate. The axes of the slots formed in the bridge to accommodate these bell-cranks are,

in the presence instance, alon lines which radiate from this point, and t ese lines are preferably so drawn that the bell-cranks will fall to the inside of the key-levers, i. e., on the right and left hand sides of the keylevers on the left and right hand sides, respectively, of the type-action, beginningat a line drawn throu h the center of the action from front to bac This arrangement of the bell-cranks will, of course, bring their flat surfaces parallel to the fiat surfaces of the key-levers which operate them, which is desirable for the purpose of reducing friction or binding between these two parts of the mechanism. The forwardly-extending arms of the bell-cranks have slots to receive projecting pins fastened on the keylevers. The sliding connection thereby effected allows the key-levers to rock the bellcranks on their pivots as the former descend under pressure of the typists fingers. The are on which the bell-crank pivot-rod lies is of relatively slight curvature, and, due to the shorter radius of the type-bar segment, the last few bell-cranks at the right and left hand sides of the type-action are somewhat beyond the outermost type-bars.

The universal bar, in this instance, is arcuate in a horizontal plane, and preferably parallel with the bridge supporting the bell-cranks, so that a uniform balance is obtained between the'points of engagement of the radial key-levers. with the universal bar and the bell-cranks mounted on the bridge member.

The links, in this instance, are in the form of short, stifi' wires, and have hooks formed on their opposite ends. \Vhen assembled, the hooks of each link connect the rearwardly-projecting ear of a type-bar with the upwardly-extending arm of the corresponding bell-crank.

It is preferable to arrange these links in a conical plane just below and substantially parallel to the conical plane in which the type-bars normally lie, and to have the link for each type-bar lie as nearly in line with the latter as possible. This arrangement permits a link to oscillate a type-bar about its pivot by giving it a straight pull, and

reduces to the minimum any tendency for the type-bar to bind or twist in its slot. To avoid interfering contact during movement of the links, the links are preferably bent intermediate their ends.

To further aid in accomplishing this object, the upwardly-extending arms of those bell-cranks which lie beyond the limits of the outside type-bars on both the right and left sides of the type-action are in this instance bent inwardly until they meet the ends of the parallel links which are to be fastened to them. The manner in which the type-bars are connected to the bell-cranks by means of the link'sis clearly illustrated in the drawm s.

%)ther features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the type-action, showlng therelative positions of the various parts, and especially the manner in which their longitudinal axes are disposed along lines that radiate from a common point.

Figure 2 is a partial, front, sectional View of the type-action, taken substantially on the line 22vof Figure 4, and shows how the axes of those working parts above the bell-crank pivots lie approximately in straight lines radiating downwardly from a common point taken on a vertical bisecting line of the action.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of "the curved bridge in which the bell-crank pivotrod i held, and shows'the construction of the arcuate slotted passage. in which the.

pivot-rod is seated.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal, sectional View of a typewriter, taken approximately on the center line of the type-action, showing the relative positions of the various parts of the type-action when the type-bars are at rest.

Figure 5 is a side view of the center, still"- ening member which binds most of the various transverse members of the type-action into a rigid whole.

Figure is a view of three of the typebar-actuatmg links as they appear when in their normal positions.

Figure 7 is a view of the same three type-- crom-bar 13 and in the rear by a cross-bar 14,

and supported in a false frame or shell 15 having a front cross-member 16, a top crossmember 17, a rear cross-member 18 and side.

members 19 and 20. 1 1 Feet 21, preferably made of-resilient material, such as rubber, are fastened to the frame 10 and support the typewriter upon a base 01 other support. Fastened between the cross-members 17 and 18, and lying on the center line of the frame 10, is a stifl'e'n ing-bar 22 that is also fastened to the crossp member 14. Ears 23 and 24 project toward opposite sides from the top of the bar 22 and supportan' angle-brace 25 that,'in turn, supports a type-bar segment 26. The segment 26 is further supported. on each side, by members 27 and 28 which .are 'bent down and fastened to the side members 11 and 12.

Mounted in the center of the segment 26 is a type-guide 29. Type-bars 30, which preferably carry type-heads 31. having three type 32, are mounted in slots 34 on a pivotrod 35 and have rearwardly-projecting ears 33 normally below the pivot-rod 35. The

type-bars 30 in this instance have stops 36,

which serve to regulate the force of the blow delivered by the types 32 against the platen, and projections or guides 37 which co-operate with the type-guide 29 in guiding the types to the printing point, and which also serve as stop to prevent the types on the head of an advancing type-bar from striking against the type-head of a receding bar. andffrom becoming damaged thereby. The type-bar segment 26 is preferably inclined rearwardly from the perpendicular at an angle of approximately 10 degrees, which allows the type-bars 30 to be swung through a greater are and which makes it possible to lower the platenin back of the segment 26, thus reducing the height of the machine. Thislowering of the platen also has a tendency to raise the printing line to a higher position on the front surface of the platen and above the horizontal plane in which the longitudinal axis of the platen lies, which makes it more visible than it would be if it lay directly in that horizontal plane.

When the type-bars 30 are lying in normal position, the type-heads 31 rest upon a type-bar rest, rail or basket 38 overlaid with suitable cushioning material, such as felt, and supported upon the central stifi'ening-bar 22 and also'at its ends on the crossmeinbers 39 which run from the members 27 and 28 to the cross-member 17. It will be noticed that the entire group of type-bars 30 occupies comparatively little space in the machine, and that the highest type-bar, when it is at rest, isnot much higher than the highest bank of keys in the keyboard.

Fastened to the rear cross-member. 14, to the right and left respectively of the center 'of the typeaction', are brackets 40 and 41 which support a transverse key-lever fulcrum-plate 42 preferably slotted. as at 43,

to receive the fulcrum-ends of key-levers 44, I

and the fulcrum plate 42, has projections or pins 45 formed along its .top edge to which coil-springs 46 are fastened The other ends of the coil-springs 46 are fastened to the key-levers 44 and act to return the latter to their normal positionsafterbeingreleased from the pressure of the typists fingers. The key-levers 44 radiate from the fulcrum.-

late 42 towards the front of the machine, where they pass through slots 47 in the front cross-member 13. which also acts as a eombplate. When theyreach this point they are spread out sufficiently to form a standard width key-bar. I j 1 By observing Figure 1, it will be noted that, if the key-levers 44 were continued "rearwardly' beyond the fulcrum plate 42,

their'longitudinal axes would find a common center some distance to the rear of the machine. The key-levers 44 are provided with fingers 48 on their lower edges which are adjustable in height and which operate a curved universal bar 49 attached at its ends to a transverse rock-shaft 50 also supported by the brackets 40 and141. The universal bar 49 carries a lever 51 which operates the ribbonibrating mechanism and a lever 52 which operates the carriage-release mechanism, a part of which is shown at 53. The universal bar 49 is preferably curved in the form of an arc in a horizontal plane, and is returnable to normal, after each depression, by means of fingers 54. preferably madeof spring steel. Near their forward ends, therkey-levers 44 are'provided with downwardly-depending ears furnished with pins or cams 56, the purpose of which will hereinafter'be more fully described.

Lying beneath the key-levers 44, and fastened to the side members 11 and 12, is a 49. The bridge-member 57 is preferably made in two parts, an up r part 58 having a curved groove 59, an a lower part 60 having a complementarycurved groove 61. The two parts 58 and 60' are suitably fastened together, as by the pins 62, and in this position the grooves 59 and 61 produce a continuous passage or hole through which a bell-crank pivot-rod 63 is insertible. The parts 58 and 60 constituting the bridgemember 57 are preferably provided with slots 64, which extend transversely through the grooves 59, and the axes of which are approximately parallel to, and to the right and left of, the key-levers 44 on the left and right hand sides, respectively, of "the typeaction, see Figure}. These slots cause the parts 58 and 60 having the complementary grooves 59 and 61 to produce, in effect,a plurality of separate, uniform, arcuatelyaligned apertures, and the walls of the apertures thus produced provide the support for,

the bell-crank pivot-rod 63. Bell-cranks 65 are mounted in the slots 64 on the pivot-rod 63, so that the legs 66 will extend upwardly between the key-levers 44 and the other legs 67 will project toward the front of the machine and he adjacent the depending cars 55 to which they will beparallel.

Slots 68, to enga e the pins 56, are preferably formed in t e legs 67. The legs 67 also have openings- 69 to receive the hooked ends 70 of links 71, the other hooked ends 72 of which are fastened into similar openings 73 in the bacltwardly-extending cars 33 of the type-bars 90.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the grou of key-levers 44 and their accompanying ll-cranks 65 extend over a somewhat wider area than that occupied by the gype-bars 30 and their actuating links 71.

y bending in the tops ofthe egs 66 toward the center, it will be seen that the longitudinal axes of the type-bars 30, ac-

tuating links 71, bellcranks 65 and keylevers 44 of the type-actionunits, throughout the entire action, are brought into substantial )arallelism in radiating planes, which will prevent, to a great extent,'any binding of part-s'or side pull when a ty eaction unit is placed in operation. T ii. alone, however. would not accomplish the desired result, as the direction of motion of the bell-cranks, while in about the same plane as the type-bars at the center of the type-action,; takes place' in intersecting .ment of the bell-crank arms within the a forward movement of undulator charac ter, which, at the commencement 0 the type stroke, includes a downward component of the rear end of the link and an upward componentof the front end. When the link pivot-point 69 of the leg 66 reaches the highest int in its are of travel the link ivot-point 73 of the ear 33-will be at its lhwest oint. Toward the end of the t pe stroke t ie'movement ot' the link-ends un ergoes a reversal of direction, sothat the rearward link-end moves upward with the ear 33 and the forward link-end moves downward with the bell-crank. So far as the outermost type-action units are concerned the printing takes place before any stretching of the link occurs to exert side pull on the bell-crank, but actually the bends in the legs 66 of the outermost bell-cranks 65 are s) located that any deflection, due to forcible depression of the keys, is easily overcome by the universal action of the conn sttions between the links 71 and the legs 61 which permits a slight turning movelooped er.ds of the links and a slight turning of the links in a horizontal plane about the pivot-points of the ears 33.

It will he observed, in Fi res 1 and 2, that the planes, on which t e axes of the: various parts of the mechanism lie, are arranged in' two groups, one radiatin from a vertical line located some-distance in back of the machine, and the second radiating downwardly from an approximately horizontal line drawn through the center of the disk from which the type-bar segment is taken, and that the bends in the legs 66 occur at the points of bi-section for these planes. By arranging the mechanism in this man 106 ner, no one type-action unit-will be harder to operate than any other, and the same finger pressure applied to any key of the keyboard will produce a like result. Because the bend in a leg 66 causes its top .to move 110 m an are almost tangent to the normal cu1n bent plane of the top'of an immediately succeeding leg, its actuating link tends to move closer and closer to the next succeeding leg-tip toward either the right or left of the machine as that leg is moved forwardly, in the manner illustrated'in Figure 7 The links 71 which lie near the extreme right and left hand edges of the grou are bent in their middles to correct this endhncy to interfere with the adjacent leg 66, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, "and, although thistendency is not so marked in those links 71 which lie toward the center of the type-- action, where the bends in the legs 66 are I less acute, these central links 71 are also preferably bent to preserve a uniform length of link throughout the entire group. l

It will be appreciated that "when a key.- lever 44 is depressed its pin 56 willtravel "N toward the bottom of the cam slot 68 in the bell-crankfio which is adjacent, thus producing the" double result of increasing the speed of the type-bar 30 and of reducing the leverage power of the leg 67, and, by doing so, placing an increasing check on the force of the finger blow. The long leverage of the leg 67 at the beginning of the motion tends to make starting easy, and shortening the' leverage of the leg 67 as the motion progresses tends to make stopping easy. This acceleration of the speed of the type-bar 30 toward the platen at the beginning of the type stroke is reversed when it recedes from permits of the platen. In other words, on the advance, the type-bar starts slowly and gradually increases its speed, while on the return it starts quickly and gradually slows up its speed. The speed with which the type-bar 30 leaves the platen facilitates the clearing of the printing point for the arrival of the next type-bar 30, and thus enables the typist to attain greater writing speed. This pin and cam slot arrangement a light touch on the keys, easy stopping of the type-bars 30 at the end of theirtraveh'andan equally easy stopping of the type-bars upon their return to rest; the former cushioning the blow and slowing the finger movement, and the latter exerting a brake action by lengthening the leverage in favor of the key weight; and a more rapid manipulation ofthe key-levers 44 when typing. It will beseen from the foregoing description that the mechanism here' described is simpleand' eflicien-t in operation. is extremely compact, occupies but little space, is sturdy and substantial in construction, and may be built at a-moderate cost.

Whenever it is desired to detach one of the bellcranks, the rod 63 is pushed through the passage in the curved bridge by means of a follower, which: permits a bell-crank to be removed without disturbing the location of others. v

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements ma be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I

I. The combination in a typewriting niachine including a frame an .a-platen, of a typeaction including a plurality of radial key-levers, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality oft pe-bars pivoted in said segmentand normally cumbentin a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically. a horizontal plane, a plurality. of'bell-cranks pivoted in an arc in a horizontal plane of greater radius than said segment and of lesser extent than the outermost key-levers. said bell-cranks hav-' ing upwardly-extending arms bent inwardly at progressively sharper angles as they approach the outer limits of the type-action,

operative connections between said typerality of bell-cranks pivoted in an are m a horizontal plane of greater radius than said segment and a lesser extent than the outermost key-levers, a plurality of links connecting said type-bars and said bell-cranks, the connections of said links to said bellcranks being such as to afford a slight turning movement of the links in ractically a horizontal plane toward the en of the typestroke, and means co-operative between said key-levers and said bell-cranks for actuating said bell-cranks.

, 3. The combination in a t pewriting machine including a frame an a platen, of a type-action including a transverse fulcrumplate at the rear of said frame, a transverse comb-plate at the front of said frame and a plurality of key-levers mounted between said fulcrum and comb plates, a ty e-bar segment of short radius, a. plurality oFty ebars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically a horizontal plane, a transverse curved bridge between said fulcrum-plate and said comb-plate, a plurality of hell-cranks-pivoted in said bri e in arcuate alignment and within lesser limits than the outermost kev- I chine including a frame and a platen, of

a type-action including atransverse. fulcrum-plate at the rear of said frame, a transverse comb-plate at the front of said frame and a plurality of key-levers mounted between said fulcrum and comb plates, said fulcrumlate having a plurality of slots and a p urality of pins formed along its 'lower and upper edges respectivel springmembers coactive between said 7 ey-levers and said pins normally tendin to retain said key-levers in said slots in inoperative position, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality of type are pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conic 1']. plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically a horizontal plane;

a transverse curved brid e between said fulcrum-plate and said com -'plate, a plurality of bell-cranks pivoted in said bridge in areaate alignment and Within lesser limits than the outermost key-levers, operative connections between said type-bars and said bellcrarks, and means co-o erative between said key-levers and said be l-cranks for actuating the latter.

5. The combination in a typewriting ma chine including a frame and a platen, of a type-action including a transverse fulcram-plate at the rear of said frame, a transverse comb-plate at the front of said frame and a plurality of key-levers mounted between said fulcrum and comb plates, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality of type-bars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars I in practically a horizontal plane, a transverse curved bridge between said fulcrumplate and said comb-plate, a plurality of )ell-cranks mounted directly in slots in said bridge on. a unitary pivot-rod and within lesser limits than the outermost key-levers, operative connections between said typebars and said bell-cranks, and means cooperative between said key-levers and said bell-cranks for actuating the latter.

6. The combination in a typewriting machine including a frame and a platen, of,

a type-action including a transverse fulcrum-plate at the rear of said frame, a

transverse comb-plate at the front of said frame and a lurality of key-levers mounted between sai fulcrum and comb plates, 21 typebar segment of short radius, a plurality of type-bars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically ,a horizontal plane, a transverse curved bridge between said fulcrumplate and said comb-plate, a plurality of bell-cranks mounted directly in slots in said bridge on a unitary pivot-rod and within lesserlimits than the outermost key-levers, operative connections between said typebars and said bell-cranks, each of said keylevers having a depending ear and a pm rojecting from sald ear, and correspondng bell-cranks each having an arm slotted to receive said pin.

7. The'combination in a t'pewriting machine including a frame an a platen, of a type'action including a plurality of radial key-levers, depending fingers on said radial key-levers, a flat universal bar curved in a horizontal plane, said universal bar being directly engageable with said depending fingers to actuate ribbon-vibrating and letter-feeding mechanism. a type-bar segment of short radius, a'plurality of type-bars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically a horizontal plane, a plurality of bell-cranks pivoted in an arc in a horizontal plane of greater radius than sald segment and of lesser extent than the outermost key-levers,

said bell-cranks having upwardly-extending arms bent inwardly at progressively sharper angles as they approach the outer limits of the type-action, operative connections between said type-bars and said bell-cranks, and means co-operative between said keylevers and said bell-cranks for actuating said bell-cranks.

8. The combination in a .typewriting machine including a frame and a platen, of a type-action including a plurality of radial key-levers, depending fingers on said radial key-levers, a fiat universal bar curved in a horizontal plane, said universal bar, being directly engageable with said depending fingers to actuate ribbon-vibrating and letter-feeding mechanism, spring-members engageable with the under side of said universal bar for urging the bar to its inoperative position, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality of type-bars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically a horizontal plane, a plurality of bell-cranks pivoted in 'an 'arc in a horizontal plane of greater radius than said segment and of lesser extent than the outermost key-levers, a plurality of links connecting said type-bars and said bellcranks, the connections of said links to said bell-cranks being such as to afford a slight turning movement of the links in practically a horizontal plane toward the end of the ty e-stroke, and means co-operativ'e between said key-levers and said bell-cranks for actuating said belLcranks.

9. The combination in a typewriting machine including a frame and a platen, of a type-action including a transverse fulcrumplate at the rear of said frame, a transverse comb-plate at the front of said frame and a plurality of key-levers mounted between said fulcrum and comb plates, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality of ty ebars pivoted in said segment andnorma 1y cumbent in a substantiallyfeonical plane with the lowermost type-bars'jiii practically a 1 horizontal plane, atransverse curved bridge between said fulcrum-plate and said combplate, a flat imiversal bar located at the rear of said bridge, said universal bar being curved in a horizontal plane and directly engageable by said key-levers, a plurality 0t" bell-cranks pivoted in said bridge in arcuate alignment and within lesser limits than the outermost key-levers, operative connectionsv between said type-bars and said bell-cranks, and means co-operative between said key- }evers and said bell-cranks for actuating the atter. 10. The combination in a typewriting machine including a frame and a platen, of

a type-action including a transverse fulcrum-plate at the rear of said frame, a transverse comb-p ate at the front of said frame and a plurality of key-levers mounted between said fulcrum and comb plates, said fulcrum-plate having a plurality of slots and a plurality of pins formed along its lower and upper edges respectively, sp'ringmembers coactive between said key-levers and said pins normally tending to retain said key-levers in said slots in inoperative position, a type-bar segment of short radius,

a a plurality of type-bars pivoted 111 said segment and normally cumbent in a substantia ly conical plane with the lowermost typebars in practically a horizontal plane, a transverse curved bridge between said fulcrum-plat-e and said comb-plate, a flat universal bar located at the rear of said bridgg said universal bar being curved in a horizontal plane practically parallel with said transverse curved bridge,'fingers depending from said key-levers and directly engageable with said universal bar, a plura ity of bell-cranks pivoted in said bridge in arcuate alignment and within lesser limits than the outermost key-levers, operative connections between said type-bars and said bell-cranks, and means c0-operative between said key-levers and said bell-cranks for actuating the latter. The combination in'a typewriting machine including a frame and a platen, of a type-action including a transverse fulcrumplate at the rear of said frame, a transverse con'ib-plate at the front of said frame and a plurality of key-levers mounted between Said fulcrum and comb plates, a type-bar segment of short radius. a plurality of typebars pivoted in said segment and normally cunibent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically a horizontal plane, a transverse curved bridgev between said fulcrum-plate and said combplate, a flat universal bar practically parallel with said bridge, said universal bar being curved in a horizontal plane and of lesser extent than the distance between the outermost key-levers, and actuated by said keylevers to operate ribbon-viba'ting and lettor-feeding mechanism, a plurality of hellcranks mounted directly in slots in said bridge on a unitary pivot-rod and within lesser limits than the outermost key-levers, operative connections between said type-bars and said bell-cranks, and means co-operativc between said key-levers and said bell-cranks for actuating the' latter.

12. The combination in a typewi i'ting machine includi-ng-a frame and a platen, of a type-actioniincluding a transverse fulcrumplate at tl e; rear of said frame, a transverse comb-pla' t the front of said frameand a plurality io key-levers mounted between said fulcrum and comb p ates, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality of typebars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent 111 a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically ahorizontal p ane, a transverse curved bridge between said fulcrum-plate and said comb-plate, fingers depending from said key-levers, a flat universal bar curved in a horizontal plane at the rear of said bridge,

and directly engageable by said fingers to actuate ribbon-vibrating and letter-feeding mechanism. springmembers engageable with the under side of said universal bar urging the bar to its inoperative position, a plurality of bell-cranks mounted directly in slots in said bridge on a unitary pivot-rod and within lesser limits than the outermost ke vlevers, operative connections between said type-bars and said bell-cranks, each of said key-levers having a depending ear and a pin projecting from said ear, and corresponding bell-c anks each having an arm slotted to resaid pins norn'ially tending to retain said key-levers in said slots in inoperative position, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality of type-bars pivoted ilr'sa'id segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type- .bars in practically a horizontal plane, a transveres curved bridge between said fulcrum-plate and said comb-plate, a flat universal bar located at the rear of said bridge, said universal bar being curved in a horizontal plane practically parallel with said transverse curved bridge, fingers depending from said key-levers and directly engageable with said universal bar, said transverse curved bridge occupying lesser limits than the distance between the outermost keylevers and being formed of two parts, one interlocking with the other to form a unit, a'plurality of bell-cranks pivoted in said bridge in arcuate alignment and within lesser limits than the outermost key-levers, 1

operative connections between said type- 'bars and said bell-cranks, and means cosaid fulcrum and comb plates, a type-bar segment of short radius, a plurality of typebars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically a a horizontal plane, a transverse curved bridge between said fulcrum-plate and said comb-plate, a flat universal bar practically parallel with said bridge, said universal bar being curved in a horizontal plane and of lesser extent than the distance between the outermost key-levers, and actuated by said key-levers to operate ribbon-vibrating and letter-feeding mechanism, said transverse curved bridge occupying lesser limits than the distance between the outermost keylevers and being formed of two interlocking parts, both of said parts having complementary transverse slots. means for securing said parts together to form a unitary segment, a plurality of bell-cranks mounted directly in the slots in said bridge on a unitary pivot-rod and within lesser limits than the, outermost key-levers. operative connections between said type-bars and said bellcranks, and means co-operative between said key-levers and said bell-cranks for actuating the latter. N

15. The combination in a typewriting machine including a frame and a platen, of a type-action including a transverse fulcrumplate at the rear of said frame, a transverse comb-plate at the front of said frame and a plurality of key-levers mounted between said fulcrum and comb plates, said fulcrum-plate having a plurality of slots and a plurality of pins formed along its lower and upper edges respectively, spring-members co-active between said key-levers and said pins normally tending to retain said key-levers in said slots in inoperative position, a typebar segment of short radius, a plurality of type-bars pivoted in said segment and normally cumbent in a substantially conical plane with the lowermost type-bars in practically a horizontal plane, a transverse bridge between said fulcrum-plate and said combplate, said bridge including two interlocking parts of lesser transverse extent than the distance between the outermost key-levers,

each of said parts having a complementary groove extending longitudinally of the bridge to afford acircular passage therein, both of said parts having a plurality of aligned complementary slots, a bell-crank pivot-rod insertibl'e in said circular passage and a plurality of bell-cranks supported on said pivot-rod within said slots. means for securing said bridge-parts together to form a unitary segment, fingers depending from said key-levers, a fiat universal bar curved in a horizontal plane at the rear of said bridge and directlv engageable by said fingers to actuate ribbon-vibrating and letter-feedingmechanism, spring-members enmeasae 16. In a type-action for a typewriting machine, the combination of a plurality of keylevers radiating from a central point 1n the .rear, toward the front of said type-action,

where they form a standard keyboard, a plurality of type-bars arranged on a conical surface of less width than the bank of said key-levers, .ind close above them, a plurality of links each having one of its ends attached to one of said type-bars, and its other end radiating forwardly in a conical plane, and parallel [.0 said type-bar, a transverse curved bridge below said key-levers, and a pluralitv of bell-cranks mounted in said bridge, each having one leg extending upwardly between said key-levers, and being bent inwardly to receive the free end of one of said links, and the other leg extending forwardly to engage one of said key-levers, the lines of motion each lying in two planes, the change in direction occurring at the bends in said upwardly-extending legs, and at sharper angles in the outermost type-action units.

17. In a type-action for a typewriting machine, the combination of a pluralitv of keylevers having downwardly-depending ears having pins, and radiating from a central point in the rear, toward the front of said type-action, where they form a standard keyboard. a plurality of type-bars arranged in a conical plane of less width than the bank of said key-levers, and close above them, a plurality of links each having one of its ends attached to one of said type-bars,

and its other end radiating forwardly in a conical plane, and parallel to said type-bar,

a transverse curved bridge below said keylevers, and a plurality of bell-cranks mounted in said bridge, each having one leg ex tending upwardly between said key-levers.

and being bent inwardly to receive the free.

18. In a type-action for a typewriting inachine, the combination of a pluralitv of keylevers having downwardly-depending ears having pins, and radiating from a central point in the rear, toward the front of said action, where they form a standard keyboard, a plurality of type-bars having rearmost type-action units.

19. In a type-action for a typewriting matherein, chine, the combination of a plurality of key cranks wi levers having downwardly-depending ears of said key-levers, having pins, and radiating from a central parts, point in the rear, toward the front of said a curved pivotaction, where they form a standard keyverse bridge between said parts. board, a plurality of type-bars having rear- 23. In a type-action for typewriting mawardly-extending ears, and arranged in a chines, in combinatio backwardly-inclined segment; and extendradial key-levers, ing forwardly in a conical plane of less width bars, and than the bank of said ke -levers, and close Sup ra 1 one of its ends'attached to said rearwardlydrawn para extending ear' of one of said ty e-bars, and sand c-radlal key-levers,

Fy in a conithat, when said bellthe broad sur wardly-extending ears, and arranged in a chines, backwardly-inclined segment, and extending radial key-levers, forwardly in a conical plane of less width bars, and av curve than the bank of, said key-levers and close supporting said bell-era above them, a plurality of links each havrality of slots arrange ing one of its ends attached to said reardrawn para wardly-exten'ding ear of one of said typesaid radial key-'lev bars, and its other end radiating forwardly that, when said be in a conical plane, and parallel to said typetherein, the broad s bar, a transverse curved bridge below said cranks will lie para of said key levers,

mounted in said bridge, each having one leg pivoted on a curved pivotkey-levers, and a plurality of bell-cranks extending upwardly between sa1d key-levers, said transverse bridge. and being bent inwardly to receive the free 22. In a type end of one of said links'jand the other leg chines, in comb provided with a slot, and extending forradial key-levers, wardly to engage said pin on one of said bars, key-levers, the lines of motion each lying in su porting s two planes, the change in direction .occurra ity of slots arran ring at the bends in said upwardly-extenddrawn parallel to the said radial key-levers, an

that, when said ing legs, and at sharper angles in the outerabove them, a plurality 0 links each having its other end radiating forward cal plane, and parallel to said type-bar, a h r in, curved' horizontal transverse brid e below rank l lie pa said key-levers, and provided wit a pluf id key-levers, ralit of radial slots, and a plurality of bellarts, each p cran s mounted in said slots in'said brid e, ,Ormed r l each havin one leg 7 extending u warfly between sai key-levers, and being m; inthe curved hole formed by said grooves wardly to; receive the free end of one of said when saidparts ar links, and the other leg (provided with a I a yp c 1y to engage said chlne, the comb pin on one of said key-levers, the lines offi radiating from a motion each lying in two planes, the change rear of said action in a in direction occurring at the bends in said transverse idg egs, and at sharper a plurality of bel angles in the outermost type-action units. said key-levers, and m 20. In a type-action for ty'pewriting ma- V rse bridge between, and chines, in combination with a lurallty of yv Es and ty eextending upwardl bars, and a curved, transverse bridge or said upwardly- Su porting said bell-cranks, having a pluwardly and-out of p ra 1ty of slotsarranged on radial line levers, and bemg inc drawn parallel to the longitudinal axes of angle of approximate said radial key-levers, and so positioned perpendicular. that, when said bell-cranks areinserted 25. In atypethereim j he broad surfaces of said bellchine, the combinatio cranks will lie parallel to the flat surfaces levers having down with pins,

slot, and extending forwar upwardly-extending radial key-levers, bell-cranks, lin

of said key-levers.

llel to the longi and a curve and .said bellporting sai pivoted on a curved pivot-rod ination of a plurality of ommon point in t horizontal plane, a below said key-levers, and l-cranks to be operated by ounted in said transarallel to, said aid bell cranks one leg of each '0 s -levers,

y past said key ding legs being bent inarallelism with said lined backwardly at an 1y ten degrees from the action for a wardy-dependm and radiating rom a furnish rearof and action in a,

21. In a type-action for typewriting macommon'po in combination with a plurality of bell-cranks, links and ty d, transverse bridge nks, having a plud on radial lines tudinal axes of ers, and so positioned ll-cranks are inserted urfaces of said bellthe flat surfaces said bell-cranks being rod mounted in -action for typewriting maination, with a plurality of bell-cranks, links and typed, transverse bridge for aid bell-cranks, having a plued on radial lines ong'itudinal axes of d so positioned bell-cranks are inserted. db surfaces of said bellll lie parallel to the flat surfaces said bridge being in twov cranks being pivoted on rod mounted in said transn with a plurality of links and typea pluion for a typewriting makeypewritin niaty 0 'keyears horizontal plane, a curved, transverse bridge below said key-levers, and a plurality of bell-cranks mounted in said transverse bridge between, and parallel to, said key-levers, one leg of each of said bell-cranks extending upwardly past said key-levers, said upwardlyextending legs being bent inwardly out of parallelism with said key-levers, and being inclined backwardly at an angle of approximately ten degrees from the perpendicular, the other legs of said bell-cranks having slots formed therein, and extending forwardly to engage said pins.

26. In a type-action for a typewritingmachine, the combination of a curved, transverse bridge having radial slots formed therein, a plurality of bell-cranks mounted in said slots, a plurality of radial key-levers mounted alternately between said bellcranks, said key-levers having downwardlydepending ears with pins formed thereon to engage slots in the forwaidly-extending legs of said bell-cranks, the other legs of said bell-cranks extending upwardly and being bent toward the center at the intersection of an arc inclined'rearwardly from the perpendicular, their ends lying on another are of smaller radius withln said inclined arc, a plurality of type-bars lying on a concave, conical surface parallel to, and a short dis tance above, said inner are, and a plurality of links lying in a similar concave, conical surface between said type-bars and said keylevers, and connecting said upwardly-extending legs to said type-bars.

27. In a type-action for a typewriting machine, the combination of a curved, transverse bridge having radial slots formed therein, a plurality of bell-cranks mounted in said slots, a plurality of radial key-levers mounted alternately between said bellcranks, said key-levers having downwardlydepending ears with pins formed thereon to engage slots in the forwardly-extending 1e s of said bell-cranks, the other legs of said bell-cranks extending upwardly and being bent toward the center at the intersection of an are inclined rearwardly from the perpendicular, their ends lying on another are of smaller radius within said inclined are, a plurality of type-bars lying in a concave, conical plane parallel to, and a short distance above, said inner arc,and a plurality of links lying in a similar concave, conical plane between said type-bars and said keylevers, and connecting said upwardly-extending legs to said type-bars, the lines of I depending ears with pins formed thereon to engage slots in the forwardly-extending legs of said bell-cranks, the other legs of said bell-cranks extending upwardly and being bent toward the center at the intersection of an are inclined rearwardly from the perpendicular, their ends lying on another arc of smaller radius within said inclined are, a plurality of type-bars lying. in a concave, conical plane parallel to, and a short distanee above, said inner arc, and a plurality of links lying in a similar concave, conical plane between said type-bars and said keylevers, and connecting said upwardly-extending legs to said type-bars, the lines of motion of said bell-crank legs of the typeaction units being in two planes. one of which intersects the other at the bends in said upwardly-extending legs, said keylevers terminating at their forward ends in a standard keyboard having three banks of keys, a like depression of a key of any bank producing'a like motion in its connected type-bar.

29. A typewriter-key-action including a type-bar segment, a plurality of type-bars pivotally mounted therein, a plurality of key-levers, and a plurality of bell-cranks and links operatively connecting said keylevers and saidtype-bars, and a transverse bridge for supporting said bell-cranks, said bridge being curved in a horizontal plane so that the efl'ective portion thereof occupies lesser limits than the distance between the outermost key-levers, and having a plurality of slots aligned with said key-levers, said bell-cranks being pivoted on a curved pivotrod Within said transverse bridge, said links being bent intermediate their ends. and each of said bell-cranks having one bent portion.

IVILLIAM A. DOBSO 

